Recently online flight aggregator, Skyscanner published its respected annual Travel Trends 2020 Report for Australian travellers identifying six major travel trend types. UTracks, leading active travel specialist in Europe and UK, covers all six trends of: sustainable tourism; transformative journeys; JOMO (joy of missing out) trips; slow travel; local food and adventure travel with its holidays.
UTracks General Manager, Kate Baker, is a big advocate for active focussed travel. She is on a mission to get Australian travellers’ legs moving and their heart pumping when they explore Europe, whether it’s a walking, cycling or a boat-based active itinerary.
“The company ethos for 2020 is ‘Travel be in it’ to encourage travellers to participate in their holiday experience. Our 450-plus journeys are more than just the destination,” Ms Baker said. “UTracks offers travellers the chance to explore the less trodden, eat with the locals, be mindful of the environment around them and return home healthy, fit and wiser.”
Sustainable Tourism
Skyscanner report: Interest in travelling sustainably increased by a 103 per cent year on year for more eco-friendly trips in 2020. The Sustainable Traveller is someone who makes conscious decisions based on how their choices affect the environment…At every destination, they make sure to support local establishments, uphold their own green practises like reducing linen changes and taking public transport, walking and cycling to experience their destination better. They are spearheading a new wave of modern travel.
UTracks says: We agree on all levels. Walking and cycling does allow you to experience a destination more fully. UTracks is also conscious of leaving as little footprint as possible and participates in many sustainable programs. A great by-product of an active holiday is the discovery of less visited regions and the spreading of the tourist dollar to local businesses. Like on the Prague to Dresden Cycle where we visit Czech towns outside of Prague, such as Melnik (in the heart of Czech wine region), Litomerice (a royal city considered one of the most beautiful in the country) and Decin (a lovely city split by the Elbe River featuring the recently restored Decin Castle).
Transformative Journeys
Skyscanner report: Travel truly has the power to change us in so many ways and no one understands this more than the Transformative Traveller. Recording a 44 per cent year on year increase in interest on personal growth and charity-related trips, Australia has the largest share of travellers interested in embarking on a transformative trip in 2020…Transformative Journeys take many forms but they must all have meaning.
UTracks says: Is there a trail out there that’s been attributed to more meaningful and life changing experiences than the Camino? People have walked or cycled the Camino for many reasons – religion, grief, camaraderie, self-reflection, a sense of achievement…the list goes on. Whether you do it in Spain, Portugal, France or Italy, a Camino experience is unforgettable.
Adventure Travel
Skyscanner report: A real adventure is defined as trips involving some element of risk, special skill with physical exertion to extreme sport. Adventure-based trips are forecast to increase by 17 per cent in 2020, with 16 per cent of Australian travellers predicted to push their comfort zone next year.
UTracks says: For many travellers who are used to the ‘click and tick’ style of travel, simply participating in an active holiday is an adventure in itself. We’ve also got our honest Trip Grading System in place where we grade our trips from a relaxed Introductory pace, all the way up to a sweaty-but-smiling Challenging grade.
Slow Travel
Skyscanner report: Data shows a 20 per cent increase in Aussie travellers wanting to slow down and prioritise quality over quantity during their 2020 holidays. Slow Travel welcomes long walks and unscheduled activities for those who are not in a hurry and want to prioritise rest over sightseeing.
UTracks says: Slow travel is the perfect way to immerse fully in a destination. While all of our trips focus on making a connection with your surroundings, Slow Travel is best exemplified by our centre based style of travel. This is an active holiday where you base yourself in one destination and explore the nearby trails and sights. The Loire Valley Castles centre based trip is a prime example: on this holiday you settle in the small French town of Chitenay and, armed with a bike, maps and route notes, can discover the region’s famous chateaux, medieval towns, forests and vineyards. The best part is you only have to unpack once!
JOMO Trips
Skyscanner report: JOMO, or the ‘Joy Of Missing Out’, immerse yourself in the journey instead of worrying about how it looks on social media. The JOMO Traveller is particular about escaping the hustle, opting to travel off-season to alternative destinations to avoid crowds and other Aussie holiday revellers. The ability to explore a place before it gets too popular is probably why JOMO trips are recording a 31 per cent year on year increase among Aussie travellers for 2020.
UTracks says: We are constantly adding to our extensive range of walking, cycling and boat based trips due to the strong desire from our travellers (UTracks has a high number of repeat clients) to keep experiencing more off the beaten track destinations. This is why we have some 30 new trips for 2020 that go to alternative active destinations. Like the Via Degli Dei in Italy, or the High Trails of the Balkans that features our first trips in Kosovo and Albania. And, to be honest, even if you do one of our more popular trips such as the Tour du Mont Blanc, you won’t come across crowds that detract from your experience.
Local Gastronomy
Skyscanner report: Food-motivated trips are likely to make up 11 per cent of trips in 2020, up 23 per cent from 2019. After all, the quickest way to get to know a place and bond with locals is through food and the Local Gastronomist knows this well. The Local Gastronomist isn’t picky with where the best eats are… as long as every bite is worth it.
UTracks says: The best part of an active holiday is, without a doubt, the guilt-free indulging of Europe’s finest foods and drinks at the end of a day. UTracks offers three popular Food Lover’s Walking Holidays pairing the scenic Camino trails of Spain, France and Italy with delicious gastronomy. These specially guided trips takes the exploration of local cuisine to the next level: travellers visit ancient vineyards, learn local secrets with hands-on cooking demonstrations, feast on regional gourmet dishes and dine in two-Michelin-starred restaurants.
For more information and bookings please visit www.UTracks.com or call 1300 303 368.
Quoted prices are inclusive of twin share accommodation, most meals, equipment rental, experienced guides, luggage transfers between hotels (where applicable) and clear maps and directions for self guided trips and more. For full inclusions please see our website. Flights from the Australia are not included but can be booked on request.
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